Bantam Generals rule Ontario
The Niagara Generals bantam football team capped a perfect season by travelling to Ottawa and defeating the Cornwall Wildcats 24-12 in the Ontario Fall Football League Tier 2 championship game.
Niagara was able to overcome playing three-down football for the first time and sloppy field conditions which hampered its speed and ability to move the ball.
After a scoreless first quarter which featured strong defence from both squads, the Generals opened the scoring on a 90-yard run by Ezekial Langendoen. It was the start of an amazing day for Langendoen, who would finish the game with about 300 rushing yards and four rushing majors. He was named championship game MVP for his efforts.
The Wildcats tied the game on the second quarter on a well-executed hitch pass but Langendoen’s second score sent Niagara into halftime up 12-6.
Niagara expanded its lead to 24-6 in the second half before Cornwall recorded the last touchdown of the game.
Jak Buckland and Spencer Macrae had strong games on defence for the Generals and were giving the Wildcats fits with constant pressure all game long. They accounted for multiple sacks and tackles with assistance from defensive MVP Luis Corredor-Reyes.
Among Niagara’s defensive highlights were: an interception by Langendoen; a blocked punt by Buckland that was recovered by Macrae and led to a major; and, Brett Wall, who saved a sure pick six with a tackle and ended up forcing a fumble which he recovered.
Members of the team are Abraham Hiebert, Jak Buckland, Luke Harker, Luis Corredor-Reyes, Lox Raducanu, Brett Wall, Jake Bover, Maverick Reid, Isaiah Benjamin, Benji Kolodziejczak, Dyami Maphar, Mark Hazzouri, Ezekial Langendoen, Issac Hiebert, Carter Smith, Spencer Macrae, Hudson Grant, Nemanja Kovinic, Cole Stayzer, Henley Shore, John Lonschek-McGillen, Raffale Robinson, Tyson Louis-Charles, Dante Torelli, Rudy Somerville, Sam Edwards, Cameron Kotyk, Ethan Lewis, Elijah DiPasquale-Raby, Jack James, David VanSoelen, Tyson Lewis, Luke Gruszewski, Charlie VanSoelen, Jackson Mills, Joseph Dunits and Deyan Welby.
The coaching staff includes: head coach Chris Lundy; offensive coaches Matt Macrae and Grant Wall; defensive coaches Jeff Adams, Vince Angelini and Chris Kotyk; offensive coach and quarterback helper Austin Macrae; rotating coaches Brian Maphar and Allan Stayzer; and, manager Ashley Price.
